Beverage press mug with storage container

ABSTRACT

A mug ( 10 ), specifically a vessel ( 20 ) incorporating a plunger assembly ( 30 ), that includes a number of fingers ( 42 ), is improved by positioning the fingers downwardly to contact the side wall of the vessel. The improvement also includes the following; a minor diameter portion ( 58 ) of the vessel sized to fit a motor vehicle cup holder. An open distal ended liner ( 62 ) intimately embracing a storage container compartment ( 60 ) formed on an inside surface of the outer shell minor diameter portion of the vessel. A closure base ( 66 ) removably engages the liner and encloses the bottom of the vessels storage container compartment. The closure base includes a number of inwardly facing spacer legs ( 68 ) that removably retain a storage container ( 72 ) including a detachable lid ( 74 ). The storage container provides a receptacle for such items as coffee grinds, tea leaves, sugar and creamer etc. such that the items may be conveniently available with the mug.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to beverage containers in general. Morespecifically the invention is directed to a coffee or tea presscontainer integrally combining a commuter press mug with a storagecontainer.

BACKGROUND ART

Previously, many types of coffee or tea mugs have been used inendeavoring to provide an effective means to transport a beverage andmaintain its temperature. Further portable coffee pots have beendeveloped that are designated the “press type” having a filtered plungerpermitting coffee grinds or tea leaves to be mixed with hot water. Theplunger is inserted on top of the blended liquid and pressed to thebottom permitting the beverage to be ideally brewed and the residualfiltered to the bottom.

The prior art listed below did not disclose patents that possess any ofthe novelty of the instant invention; however the following U.S. patentsare considered to be related: Patent Number Inventor Issue Date4,974,741 Gustafson et al. Dec. 4, 1990 5,531,353 Ward et al. Jul. 2,1996 5,887,510 Porter Mar. 30, 1999 5,918,761 Wissinger Jul. 6, 19996,409,038 Karp Jun. 25, 2002

Gustafson et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 4,974,741 teach a thermally insulatedcarrier with a tubular housing which accepts single or two servingbeverage containers in a vehicle. A base extension is attached to thebottom of the carrier which is sized to fit into the can holder of avehicle and maintain stabilization of the insulated carrier.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,531,353 issued to Ward et al is for a drinking cuphaving an open top and a base. A storage portion may be connected to thebase of the cup portion and a cylindrical shoulder on the cup portionbase mates with an open top on the storage portion. A removable lidreceives either the cup portion or the storage portion.

Porter in U.S. Pat. No. 5,887,510 is my previous patent to which thisimprovement is directed. The patent discloses a portable device formaking coffee which included a vessel for holding a mixture of coffeegrinds and hot water. The invention includes a plunger, having a filterunit and a rod extending though the vessels top, that tightly contactsthe side wall of the vessel. The plunger is configured to strain thecoffee particles from the liquid as it travels through the mixturecollecting the particles on the bottom with the remaining liquidavailable for drinking directly from the device or poured into a cup.

Wissinger in U.S. Pat. No. 5,918,761 teaches an insulated container witha cover constructed with an inner shell and an outer shell with a spacein between. The cover is maintained with the combined shells at the topwith an elastomeric material.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,409,038 issued to Karp is directed toward a mug that isnormally too large to fit into a vehicle cup holder therefore it isfitted with a hollow base member that is appropriately sized for theutility. The base member may used to carry beverage accessories such assugar, sweetener, creamer, tea or coffee. It is also possible to storeliquids in the base member, such as extra coffee. Gaskets preventleakage and cover members can be provided to close the base member whennot connected to the mug.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The plunger method of brewing coffee is well known in the art and becameparticularly popular in France; therefore the technique is usually knownas the “French Press”. My U.S. Pat. No. 5,887,510 is directed to adevice that includes a vessel, such as a mug, that has straight orslightly tapered interior walls which may be either an individualserving container or a multiple serving vessel. The device functionsutilizing this vessel which is capable of holding a mixture of hot waterand solid particles. An enhanced plunger and filter assembly isdisclosed in my previous patent that consists of a plurality of fingersthat form an intimate contact between the plunger and the sidewall whenplaced into the vessel. When the plunger is depressed to the bottom theseal prevents bypassing the particles permitting the brew to reach itsfull flavor after the mix had been allowed to steep for three to fiveminutes. The invention also allowed the brewed beverage to be consumeddirectly from the vessel.

The primary object is directed to improvements in my previous inventionwhich incorporate relocating the plunger assembly action by reversingthe direction the finger orientation relative to the vessel andutilizing a dual wall dead air space insulated vessel, preferably ofstainless steel construction.

An important object of this improvement in the original invention isthat the reversed fingers create a tighter wiping action against thevessel wall and preclude any leakage of particles into the completedbrew.

The next object of the invention is the improvement of the vessel itselfby the addition of a storage container that is housed within a hollowbottom portion of the vessel. This storage container includes a lid andis held in place with a closure base that is retained with a gasketpressing outwardly into the interior wall of the vessel's bottomportion. Further the closure base grips the storage container such thatit is not free to touch any part of the container. The obvious purposeof the container is to store coffee grinds or tea leaves allowing theuser quick access for a second cup or serving of the brewed beverage. Itwill be noted however that the added container may also house sugar anda creamer or the like to augment the beverages flavor.

Still another object of the invention is that the improvement of thestorage container may be added to any type of vessel made of a host ofmaterials including specialized shapes and purposes. One of the premiumtypes of vessels presently in vogue, are the popular stainless steelmugs that have an inner and outer shell which is well adapted to theimprovements particularly in the commuter type mug with a diameter onthe bottom portion that is sized to fit into a motor vehicle cup holder.

Yet another object of the invention is the convenience that has beenadded to a coffee mug where the commuter may take a cup of coffee whenhe or she departs and make one or two cups upon arrival.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from the subsequent detailed description of thepreferred embodiment and the appended claims taken in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a partial isometric view of the beverage press mug with astorage container in the preferred embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the preferred embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the preferred embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a right side view of the preferred embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view taken along lines 5-5 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is an exploded partial isometric view of the plunger assembly inthe preferred embodiment completely removed from the invention forclarity.

FIG. 7 is a front view of the vessel in the preferred embodimentcompletely removed from the invention for clarity.

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view taken along lines 8-8 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a top view of the liner in the preferred embodiment completelyremoved from the invention for clarity.

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view taken along lines 10-10 of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is an exploded partial isometric view of the storage containerelements in the preferred embodiment, completely removed from theinvention for clarity.

FIG. 12 is a top view of the closure base in the preferred embodimentcompletely removed from the invention for clarity.

FIG. 13 is a cross sectional view taken along lines 13-13 of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a top view of the container in the preferred embodimentcompletely removed from the invention for clarity.

FIG. 15 is a cross sectional view taken along lines 15-15 of FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a top view of the container lid in the preferred embodimentcompletely removed from the invention for clarity.

FIG. 17 is a cross sectional view taken along lines 17-17 of FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 partial isometric view of closure base being manually removedfrom the vessel the preferred embodiment.

FIG. 19 partial isometric view of the closure base after it has beenmanually removed from the vessel.

FIG. 20 partial isometric view of the lid being manually removed fromthe storage container after being detached from the closure base.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of apreferred embodiment with slight variations in the type of mug beingutilized. This preferred embodiment of the beverage mug with a storagecontainer 10 is shown in FIGS. 1 thorough 20 and is comprised of abeverage press mug defined as a vessel 20 that has a bottom end 22, astraight side wall 24 and a top-opening 26 with a cover 28. A plungerassembly 30 with a rod 32 slideably penetrates through the cover 28 andis connected to a hub 34 with spokes 36 that extend outwardly connectedto a peripheral base member 38 with a plunger filter 40 locatedtherebetween. The base member 38 includes a plurality of fingers 42 eachhaving a first phalange 44 and a second phalange 46 extending outwardlyat an angle creating intimate contact with the side wall 24.

All of the above elements are disclosed in my previous U.S. Pat. No.5,887,510. The improvements to this patent include changing the positionof the first phalange 44 to extend downwardly and outwardly from theperipheral base member 38. Specifically the first phalange 44 joins thesecond phalange 46 at an angular intersection, with the second phalange46 extending from the angular intersection downwardly and inwardly forcontacting the essentially straight side wall 24 of the vessel 20.

Further the plunger assembly 30 contains a circular extension spring 48that surrounds the plunger assembly 30 functioning in conjunction withthe external force of manually pressing down on the rod 32 whichdecreases the plunger diameter against spring tension thereby intimatelyengaging the side wall 24 creating a continual constricting contact withthe beverage press mug vessel 20. The spring action in conjunction withthe reversed position of the fingers 42 improves the wiping actionconsiderably and hence provides almost complete the elimination ofparticle bypass.

Another improvement is that the vessel cover 28 now includes a coverfilter 50, shown in FIG. 2 which is integrated within the cover 28 forstraining any solid particles that may inadvertently remain from liquidcontained within the vessel when the liquid, in the form of a brewedbeverage, is poured therefrom assuring complete purity of the beverage.

The beverage press mug vessel 20 preferably incorporates an outer shell52 and an inner shell 54 with a space 56 therebetween, as illustrated inFIGS. 1-5, 7 and 8. The outer shell 52 and inner shell 54 are formed ofstainless steel and the space 56 therebetween forms a dead air spaceacting as an insulated barrier well known in the art and effectivelyimpedes the transfer of heat.

Where the application is for a commuter mug application the outer shell52 has a minor diameter portion 58 that is smaller than its uppersection and extends beneath the inner shell 54 forming a storagecontainer compartment 60 within the extended minor diameter portion 58.The minor diameter portion 58 is sized to fit a conventional motorvehicle cup holder increasing the utility of the invention.

An optional open distal ended liner 62 intimately embraces the storagecontainer compartment 60 on an inside surface of the outer shell minordiameter portion 58 and on a bottom surface of the inner shell 54, asshown in FIG. 5. The storage container liner 62 is illustrated by itselfin FIGS. 9 and 10 and incorporates an integrally formed U-shaped lip 64interfacing with the bottom of the minor diameter portion 58. The liner62 is held in place with an interference fit tightly engaging the insidesurface of the outer shell minor diameter portion 58. While the liner 62is shown and described throughout the specification and claims, it isnot to be construed as completely essential to the invention as itspresence is valuable particularly in the stainless steel constructionhowever other materials may negate its desirability.

A closure base 66, illustrated in FIGS. 11-13, removably engages theopen distal ended portion of the liner 62. The closure base 66 consistsof a plurality of opposed inner facing spacer legs 68 that extendinwardly a sufficient distance to releasably retain a storage containertherebetween as depicted in FIGS. 5, 11 and 19. The closure base 66 hasa resilient gasket ring 70 surrounding an outer perimeter of the base 66attached into a peripheral groove. The gasket ring 70 is compressed whenthe base 66 positioned within the liner 62 or in the vessel minordiameter portion 58 when the liner 62 is not used. A resilient pad 66′is attached to the underside of the base 66 for restraining the vessel20 when resting on a flat surface such as a table or desk.

A storage container 72, having a detachable lid 74, is removablyretained by the closure base 66 as shown pictorially in FIG. 19. Thestorage container 72 is designed to store such items as coffee grinds,tea leaves, sugar and creamer etc. The container 72 is illustrated alonein FIGS. 14 and 15 and the lid 74 in FIGS. 16 and 17. The lid 74 is heldin place with a slip fit interface dimensionally toleranced such that itmay be removed and replaced easily but will stay in place by itself. Thestorage container 72 consists of a cylindrical tube having a solidbottom and a single open end on the top, while the lid 74 is configuredto have a recessed finger gripping rib 76 for manually removing the lid74 from the container 72, as illustrated in FIG. 20.

The open distal ended liner 62, closure base 66, storage container 72and storage container lid 74 are preferably formed of a thermoplasticmaterial such as polypropylene, polyethylene, cellulose acetate, nylon,poly vinyl chloride and the like

While the preferred embodiment incorporates a beverage press mug with astorage container 10, the storage container 72 may be added to any mugor vessel having a similar configuration and utility. The vessel 20 mayor may not have the minor diameter portion 58 and still functionproperly as the invention also the improvements in the press may beeliminated and the storage container function easily retained. Likewisethe vessel 20 material may be stainless steel, aluminum, thermoplastic,glass, china or the like either insulated or un-insinuated and stillretain the patentable features.

FIG. 18 illustrates manual removal of the closure base 62, including thecontainer 72 attached therein, from the vessel 20. FIG. 18 depicts thecontainer 72 being in position to be removed from the closure base 62while FIG. 20 shows the lid 74 removed from the container 72 that haspreviously been detached from the closure base 62.

While the invention has been described in complete detail andpictorially shown in the accompanying drawings, it is not to be limitedto such details, since many changes and modifications may be made to theinvention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Hence, itis described to cover any and all modifications and forms which may comewithin the language and scope of the appended claims.

1-10. (canceled)
 11. A beverage mug which comprises: said beverage mughaving an outer shell and an inner shell and a space therebetween, saidouter shell having a minor diameter portion extending beneath said innershell forming a storage container compartment on a lower portion, aclosure base removably engaging the open distal ended portion of saidliner, and a storage container having a detachable lid removablyretained by said closure base, such that items including coffee grindsand tea leaves may be stored therein.
 12. The beverage press mug asrecited in claim 11 wherein said minor diameter sized to fit a motorvehicle cup holder.
 13. The beverage press mug as recited in claim 11further comprising an open ended liner intimately embracing said storagecontainer compartment on an inside surface of said outer shell minordiameter portion.
 14. The beverage press mug as recited in claim 13wherein said wherein said open ended liner further comprises anintegrally formed U-shaped lip interfacing with a bottom surface of saidminor diameter portion.
 15. The beverage press mug as recited in claim11 wherein said closure base further comprises a plurality of opposedinner facing spacer legs extending inwardly a sufficient distance toreleasably retain said storage container therebetween, and a resilientgasket ring surrounding an outer perimeter of said closure base suchthat the gasket ring is compressed when the base is interfaced with thevessel.
 16. The beverage press mug as recited in claim 11 wherein saidstorage container further comprises a cylindrical tube having a singleopen end.
 17. The beverage press mug as recited in claim 11 wherein saidlid is configured to interface with said storage container with a slipfit, and said lid having a recessed finger gripping rib member formanually removing the lid from the container.
 18. A beverage vesselhaving a storage container compartment on a bottom portion of thecontainer which comprises, a closure base removably interfacing withsaid storage container compartment, a storage container retained by saidclosure base. a detachable lid removably retained by said closure base,such that useful items may be stored therein.
 19. The beverage vessel asrecited in claim 18 formed of a material selected from the groupconsisting of stainless steel, aluminum, thermoplastic, glass and china.20. The beverage vessel as recited in claim 18 further having insulationtherein.